Black Elder

The Black Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a common popular plant which has purifying effects, improves digestion and influences favourably weight management and control. The black elder is a shrub originating from Caucasus, and reaches the height of 7–10 m. It grows in sunny and half-shaded areas naturally. We can find it in humid forest clearings, stony places, gorges, on meadows and even in ruderal environments, as it tolerates a higher content of nitrogen in the soil. It blooms in the form of rich flower sets from June to July. It is widely distributed also in in the Czech Republic. All constituent parts of the black elder, especially the flowers, are utilised in popular medicine. People use it mostly to make syrups, soft drinks and honey.